Speak Easy (Speak Easy 1)

He leered at me and licked his lips. “I did, and I liked it.”

Clenching my fists, I stared up at him, breathing hard through my nostrils. It wasn’t difficult to see the resemblance in the DiFiore family—like Enzo, Raymond had the classically attractive features of their father, although his eyes were slightly wider set, and his jaw was a shade weaker. I felt like spitting in his handsome face. But if I caused a scene, I’d only draw attention to myself. Keep calm. Don’t move. Don’t speak. It’s almost ten.

“Maybe you think you’re too good for a drink with us. Is that it?” Harry’s tone was menacing.

“No,” I said. “It’s just…I don’t see anything I want.”

“What do you mean by that?” Raymond demanded. He moved closer, poking a meaty finger toward the bottles lining the back wall. “We got all the good stuff, way better than what you and your lousy pop are running.”

A little bell pinged in my head. I pretended to look over the offerings behind the bar. “Nah. You don’t have what I’m looking for.”

Raymond huffed. “Like what?”

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; “Well, I’d like to try some rum. The real thing, from the islands. Not some coffin varnish made from industrial alcohol and prune juice.” Taking a cue from Rosie, I batted my lashes at Harry. “You got any rum?”

As I’d suspected, Raymond scooted around and elbowed his way between us. “I’m the one who’s got the goods, not him.”

Looking his wrinkled suit up and down, I sniffed. “I doubt it.”

“I do!” He thumped his chest. “I’m the rum runner here, not Harry. I can get it for you.”

I cocked an eyebrow at him. “Right now?”

“No, it ain’t here yet.”

I shrugged and turned back to the bar, my heart pounding. If my instincts were correct, Raymond wasn’t terribly bright. Painful as this was, I had a much better chance of getting him to talk than his brother. “Then like I said, you don’t have what I want.”

“But it’s coming,” he went on. “I’m big time now. I got a shipment coming in that’s the real Malloy.”

“McCoy, you idiot,” snapped Harry.

I faced Raymond again. “Well, how long’s that gonna take, Big Time?” I smiled and winked before straightening his crooked tie. “I’m not a girl who likes to wait around. I could find a little taste of rum someplace else.”

He nearly bounced with excitement. “Not this rum. You come back in two days, and I’ll give you all the tasting you want.”

Two days—did that mean the shipment would come in tomorrow night? Or could it be tonight? “I’m busy Thursday night. How about tomorrow?”

“Uh uh. It ain’t gonna be here till late tomorrow night.”

“Oh. Maybe I’ll change my plans, then.” I winked at him again, but inside I was screaming, I did it! I did it! When I went out to meet Joey, I could tell him the shipment would arrive late tomorrow night. Then maybe I wouldn’t feel so guilty about taking more of his money.

“So how’s about you and me go someplace quiet?” Raymond asked, running a hand up my arm.

“Hey, I spotted her first, you know.” Harry grabbed Raymond’s shoulder and spun him around. His face was red with anger. “And if your brother sees you touching her, he’s gonna throttle ya.”

“What’s my brother got to do with it?” Raymond jerked a thumb toward the dance floor. “He’s got his own girl.”

Bug-eyed, I craned my neck toward the dancers, scanning the room until I spotted him. The floor seemed to tilt beneath me, and I reached for the bar to steady myself. He stood with a cocktail at the edge of the dance floor, looking deliciously at ease in a black suit, white shirt, and a bow tie. His hair was pushed into a wave above his forehead. I watched him bring the glass to his lips, heat flushing my neck and chest.

Before he saw me, a squealing smarty in a gold dress as shiny and short as Rosie’s accosted him, demanding attention. His kissed her cheek and took her arm, leading her to a booth nearby. Lightning bolts of jealousy ricocheted throughout my body while she preened at his side, looking around to make sure everyone noticed her. From my vantage point, she was cute but not beautiful, with dark hair, a wide forehead, and big red lips.

“Excuse me.” I pushed both Harry and Raymond aside to get to the exit. I wasn’t sure what time it was, but I needed some air.

Thankfully, neither of them followed me as I raced through the curtains and down the long hallway toward the metal door. I told the guard I was meeting someone and sweet-talked him into letting me back inside once my friend arrived.

“She as cute as you?” He wore a black suit and white shirt that had a tomato sauce spill down the front. At least I hoped it was tomato sauce.